CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,894
Jun 26, 2014 12:56:40 GMT
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Post by CeeScraps on Jul 30, 2014 12:20:53 GMT
If your children have to bring in spirals......collect ALL OF THEM.
Bring them home and cut them in half! When I was in the classroom I did this for years. Children do not write on a whole sheet of spiral paper, let alone the back of it. The first year I bought spirals and cut them before school started. That way when I collected them the kids still had paper to use.
The 1/2 spirals worked great especially for journaling. When we would fill a 1/2 journal I'd give the children another 1/2. I did have some journals left over at the end of the year. I'd count them up and then have spirals to start the next year.
Now for you.......make masters of everything but don't print them. Display from your computer so that should help a lot.
Edited to add: Do you have an industrial park close to you? Maybe there is a paper distribution company in there. Search it and go in to talk to someone. See if they will donate not only to you but to the school. I used to work for a paper company when I was in high school. They would have reams of paper left over from paper that had to be cut for other business'. Those "left overs" were for anyone that wanted them.
Now, those left overs were different colors/textures. You probably couldn't copy on them, but you could use them for displays or for your teaching.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,831
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jul 30, 2014 12:51:14 GMT
Thank you all for your suggestions!
Some more info for those that have requested it....
I teach a 4th grade inclusion class
Required elements by admin:
Weekly newsletter (less than 30% of our community has internet access, so must print) Pre and post assessments for all math and reading units Daily math fact quiz Daily math spiral review Daily language review Monthly corporation-wide assessments Weekly fluency passage on student level Monthly fluency test for each student (1page each to mark errors)
So minimum that is 76 sheets per kid per month. I need to research ways to do the daily math fact quiz paperless. That would take it down to 56 sheets per month per kid. However, with out being one to one with computers that will be hard. I
I am thinking I need a second set of dry erase boards. Students could do an assignment on one set and turn them in.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,831
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jul 30, 2014 13:12:39 GMT
Thank you all for your help!
I would like to say that I am the only teacher facing this, but the reality is I'm not. Schools rely on parent donations for so much. That works well in our affluent schools, not so well where my heart is. In my corporation alone there is a huge difference between what is available at schools as a result of parent donations. It is sad.
Many schools corporations are not adopting new textbooks due to cost. We keep using the old ones, but the old ones don't cover the new standards so a lot of supplementing is needed.
In some corporations, like mine, workbooks are only available the first year of a new adoption. They are included in the initial cost, but not re-purchased each year. Last year I used the weekly fluency passage in the workbook, so that would eliminate 4 copies from my total count above. They were not purchased this year.
It is such a wonderful career, but there is so much behind the scenes that nobody realizes. Of course as soon as a teacher complains about spending money on her classroom many will argue that everyone spends money for their job.
Thank you all for your suggestions and allowing me to vent.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jul 30, 2014 13:33:58 GMT
I'm unfamiliar with the term corporation for schools. Is that like a district?
My 1st grader brought home on average 5 pieces a day last year, copied one sided. Made me cringe as it was so much waste. At least do double sides! I have no other brilliant suggestions for up you, but thank you for loving what you do and where you do it!!
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,408
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 30, 2014 13:39:52 GMT
I also do a daily fact quiz. What I do it run a few sets double sided and put into sheet protectors. My kids use dry erase markers on them. We then check together. I've also seen it done where every kid writes the number they are working on on the top of a piece of notebook paper. The teacher stands at the board and every 3-5 sec randomly writes a number 2-12 on the board. The kid writes the answer to the problem on their paper.
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Post by shevy on Jul 30, 2014 13:40:19 GMT
I don't envy teachers. And I applaud your resourcefullness.
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Post by myshelly on Jul 30, 2014 14:00:39 GMT
I'm unfamiliar with the term corporation for schools. Is that like a district? I was going to ask this same question. When you first said "corporation" I thought it was sarcasm. But then when I read your posts on page 3 you keep using it. I've never heard it in this context.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,831
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jul 30, 2014 14:08:38 GMT
I'm unfamiliar with the term corporation for schools. Is that like a district? I was going to ask this same question. When you first said "corporation" I thought it was sarcasm. But then when I read your posts on page 3 you keep using it. I've never heard it in this context. Hmmm... Never thought about it being a new term for others. I will have to ask around so I can really understand it. It is a common term used where I live. We are a consolidated corporation of several smaller districts in our area. Many years ago, before my time, they took several small districts and consolidated them. We are now under one name, one contract, one super, etc. there is no longer a separation of these districts.
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,894
Jun 26, 2014 12:56:40 GMT
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Post by CeeScraps on Jul 30, 2014 18:30:41 GMT
Tank Top--are you in Indiana? I only ask as when I was teaching grad classes there were a couple of guys who came for the courses. Whenever they spoke of their district they used the term "corporation".
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Post by kckckc on Jul 30, 2014 18:46:32 GMT
My office uses a TON of paper (two of us). I work with a girl who copies because she can. We have recycling bins to throw paper away to get shredded. I always use the backsides for notes, or messages. Then I shred. I only print when I have to, and then it's double sided if I can get away with it. Maybe, you could ask local offices if they could save their paper that they would normally throw out? You could use the blank back sides. I would totally give you mine, but I work in a hospital and it's got confidential info on there. Seriously, I could triple your budget in 3 months, that's how much paper this chick uses. She's got a stack of stuff that she's saving right now that is pushing 3 feet high. We went chartless, and that's how she has compensated...using more. I would second this suggestion. DH often brings home from his office (state university), paper that is printed on one side only. The office recycles it, but they are glad to let him take it. We use it for most of our at home printing.
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peabrain
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,588
Jun 25, 2014 22:18:04 GMT
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Post by peabrain on Jul 30, 2014 19:00:49 GMT
(with this I'm "Shy Member" LOL Ok, so we faced this here a year or so ago. When I found out I was upset and I bought paper for my dd's teachers. That was round 1. Then I noticed that the school board didn't mind copying tons of crap for the PTA (I may have been pres or vp at the time I don't recall) that had to do with the school board issues. Wasn't even front and back! I had a literal cow! (ok a figurative one.) My point is I took it up to the superintendent of schools about how teachers can't print things for students but here's a stack of papers for the pta (which were probably going to get thrown away) It was like they had no idea. They changed their ways. Not sure for how long. But I'm hoping it made a difference. Maybe see what the pta can do? Also Walmart has a 10% back for teachers if that helps...limited time walmart
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 18:26:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 20:51:18 GMT
Definitely use both sides... teachers in my DD's building often copy packets 1 sided and staple together... it makes me nuts! Think of all the paper that can be saved by doing 2 sided!
Many places are running spiral notebooks on sale for around 17 cents each, maybe buy as many as you can afford. You can tear the paper out and hand out to be used to copy stuff from the board.
I didn't have the $ to buy individual dry erase board when I was teaching, so my DH bought melamine boards from home depot, cut them into individual sized boards for each student, and gently sanded the edges so no one would get cut. I was able to get a class set of boards for around $10 (that was about 14 years ago).
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Post by kristenf on Jul 30, 2014 21:21:57 GMT
The copiers in my building can shrink down the copies and put several copies on each side of the paper. You can put 4 copies on each side. That would be 8 worksheets. I was reading this to my dh and he kept saying "HOW?!" I can't believe you do not have math or language books or workbooks. I think I would be crying if I were told that. Copy shrinking--- Brilliant! Thank you! Workbooks were done away with last year. They told us to keep a blank to make copies from. ... but then they take away the paper to copy it on. Wow. This... is Mind.Boggling. And I realize it's not "their" fault... perhaps they are missing some big-picture opportunities to make changes in other areas instead, such as the PTA copies another Refupea mentioned, but I too feel for the admins who have to make these decisions. Not as much as I feel for you, though! A great place to turn might be your local United Way. About 80% of the country is covered by UW's 2-1-1 information service, so the easiest way might be to call that number-you'll be connected with the local UW that serves your area. If you explain to them the situation, they should be able to match you with an organization that can assist you (and perhaps your school) with getting supplies, or even match you with a company looking to get involved/give back in the local community who may be willing to donate the supplies. (There are tons of ways that UW could work a project such as this into its annual fund raising campaigns within companies-it actually sounds like a really amazing match, I would be surprised if they didn't jump on this: be sure to put it forth as a suggestion to the operator when you're explaining what type of help you're seeking. Ask if there may be a way to find a company who could work a paper donation into their UW campaign.) If you prefer, check out your local UW website first. Go to www.unitedway.org and type your zip code into the search box at the very top right. Alternatively, if you have any personal contacts with local companies, there could be an opportunity to ask directly. A company could easily donate copy paper outright, or they could get creative and get people involved. They could ask employees to participate in a "coffee break chip-in" type collection, where they toss in a dollar or fifty cents and skip their cup of coffee on a given afternoon as a symbolic gesture in support of providing paper to the class or school. (There are several ways to work out the collection/purchase, based on their financial operations-they can figure that out!) They could also have a "copy day" where they invite you (or even all the teachers in a grade, school, etc...) to come and make copies for an hour (or more if more teachers are invited, if it's to be a meaningful donation). If they did this once a month, you could completely beat the curve! Any chance you have a college or university near by? Although those are typically non-profit institutions as well, it could be a great connection for a School of Education to have budding young education students volunteer to make copies on university equipment-the paper could be an in-kind donation from the school, or a student organization could direct its own fund raiser towards this effort. I would guess that a School of Education would have it's own student organization of just Education students, that would be a great match. (And would open their eyes to this reality of their chosen career path!) Does your area happen to have a Rotary Club in your area? This service organization, generally comprised of local businesspeople and community members, is usually pretty active in supporting local community needs. Check out www.rotary.org to see if there is one near you-the website will tell you when and where the weekly meetings are held. Some locals have a website but not all-if they do, they should list officers so you can have a name to contact. Also, is there a local Chamber of Commerce? Even if the Chamber itself doesn't provide any direct services or funds to local needs, that is surely a great forum to get in front of to present the need-they are your local business leaders, and the most likely to care about investing in their school system. (It's a win-win, from the opportunity for philanthropic giving, to the likelihood that supporting the best possible education in the local community provides the best chances that these kids will grow to be active consumers and patrons on that community...)
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Post by coaliesquirrel on Jul 30, 2014 21:51:27 GMT
Um, post the donation link here? And THAT is probably illegal (copyright violation unless it's intended to just be a classroom master). I wouldn't be at all shy about pointing that out to the administration, and if necessary the school board or even the local media. If you could get your per-kid workbooks back, that'd take some stress off your paper "budget".
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Post by *KatyCupcake* on Jul 30, 2014 21:59:33 GMT
I kind of think the curriculum workbooks are a waste. I'd rather they do like my kids' school and get the PDF digital version to copy only the pages they need. Then teachers can also link the pdf on their website and/or online gradebook. Then if the child loses the copy provided, they can get another copy by printing one at home. But I guess that would be assuming the textbook company has that PDF option. I like how my son's teacher put the pdf up on the gradebook. If I saw he was missing an assignment I could print it right there and have him do it in front of me.
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Post by theboydbunch on Jul 30, 2014 22:16:19 GMT
Try to ask for some on donorschoose.org You can request things for your classroom and people can donate to your project. When the project is completely paid for, they send your classroom the items requested. You can request nearly anything for your classroom. I've been able to build my classroom library, get an ipad, a 3D printer, supplies for my newspaper club, etc. over the years. They have matching codes all the time and all of my projects have been funded, even though some of them took a little longer than others. It does require you to do a few things like take pictures of the students using the items requested and sending a few thank you cards but it is nothing that over the top. I hope that helps you get through this year. I have used and received items from Donors Choose often. It takes time and doesn't solve your immediate problem. You could even get dry erase markers there. I am sorry you are going through this. Having to teach without the resources you need sucks
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Post by theboydbunch on Jul 30, 2014 22:18:33 GMT
Try to ask for some on donorschoose.org You can request things for your classroom and people can donate to your project. When the project is completely paid for, they send your classroom the items requested. You can request nearly anything for your classroom. I've been able to build my classroom library, get an ipad, a 3D printer, supplies for my newspaper club, etc. over the years. They have matching codes all the time and all of my projects have been funded, even though some of them took a little longer than others. It does require you to do a few things like take pictures of the students using the items requested and sending a few thank you cards but it is nothing that over the top. I hope that helps you get through this year. Thank you! I will try this. Question on for you.... I tried this a few years ago and did not get my project funded. How do you drum up interest for your projects? Are they mostly funded by parents? Sonics does codes sometimes. There are also companies that pick up funding sometimes. I've had several projects funded without parent participation. Good luck!
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Post by theboydbunch on Jul 30, 2014 22:21:21 GMT
Can you ask families for paper where only one side has been used? Or even local companies. This does not change the fact that this is completely ridiculous. I was just going to suggest this. Could you find a local business that could save it's "scrap paper" for you to use??
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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Jul 30, 2014 22:24:02 GMT
I would ask businesses to donate money or paper and then put "Donated by..." I know districts hate hated it in the past because it looks bad but frankly I'm the type to rattle cages lie that to get exposure for the problem.
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Post by theboydbunch on Jul 30, 2014 22:27:41 GMT
2 questions I'm thinking of with all of this...I'm also an elementary school teacher beginning my 25th year... 1. Do you have a teachers' union and what are their thoughts on this? 2. What exactly will/would happen if you run our of your paper allotment?
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Post by SabrinaM on Jul 30, 2014 22:29:07 GMT
Then I noticed that the school board didn't mind copying tons of crap for the PTA (I may have been pres or vp at the time I don't recall) that had to do with the school board issues. Wasn't even front and back! I had a literal cow! (ok a figurative one.) My point is I took it up to the superintendent of schools about how teachers can't print things for students but here's a stack of papers for the pta (which were probably going to get thrown away) It was like they had no idea. They changed their ways. Not sure for how long. But I'm hoping it made a difference. Maybe see what the pta can do? Also Walmart has a 10% back for teachers if that helps...limited time walmart At our school, the PTA is a 501(C)(3) with the majority of our budget coming from member donations/grants. My previous school (before we moved this summer) was 54% Free/Reduced lunch with very little parental involvement outside the 7-10 PTA volunteers. The school board has nothing to do with our printing. Everything we print, is done on site at the school. We purchase the paper ourselves.
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,019
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Jul 31, 2014 0:13:34 GMT
I got upset today because all classroom printers were taken away in an effort to save money. I just put a new cartridge in and have another new one. Now my printer is being tossed and so I'm wasting almost $200 in ink? I'm also a special educator so I print a lot of confidential stuff. I don't relish the idea of printing it to a shared printer that teachers frequently send students to to pick up their painting.
After reading your post, I feel pretty entitled.
I'm afraid to ask if you have a projector or ELMO. If you did you could project assignments/assessments for the class.
The idea of using page protecters is a great one! White boards, too! When I worked at a poor private school we bought an $11 piece of shower board and cut it up for white boards. They'll cut it for you at Home Depot or Lowe's.
Good luck! Lisa D.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Jul 31, 2014 0:41:34 GMT
I just have to say, I love your attitude in the face of this! I'm sitting here reading this and feeling mad for you and all that this decision means for an already stressful job and one where you are no doubt using lots of your own money to make up for supply cuts previous to this one. I feel like crying, stomping, and throwing in the towel for you. But you are just moving forward and trying to continue doing the best job you can. I bow down.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,831
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Jul 31, 2014 0:46:14 GMT
Thank you Julee!
I refuse to allow stupid adult decisions to change the way I do my job. I have worked hard over the last two years to focus on the kids and ignore all the rest.
Plus it helps that I live and work in the same community. I got two hugs at Wal-Mart today from former students. It keeps it all in perspective.
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Post by straggler on Jul 31, 2014 1:01:46 GMT
On the other side of the coin, and I am not unsympathetic to the op's situation, I hope some of the suggestions here will help her, but we have a local school which BEGS regularly for paper, even if it's only clean on one side. DH and I were putting our newspaper/magazines in a recycling bin and low and behold there was a ton of tractor fed paper, (not green bar, 8 1/2 x 11 w/o the perforated strips), neatly placed in there! First time we ever came close to dumpster diving, but I said I bet the ------ school would love to have this! We dug all of it out, which was probably illegal, and took it to the school, thinking the paper would be greatly appreciated. Not! They didn't want to tear off the tractor fed perforated strips! What the heck? You BEG for paper, we bring you a ton and can't be bothered to tear off the strips? I worked with this type paper back in the old days and you can tear the strips off a lot of pages at a time...not a big deal. Nope didn't want it! Took it back to the dumpster.
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Post by donna on Jul 31, 2014 1:12:46 GMT
straggle, I love that kind of paper! We had someone donate a bunch of it and we used the paper for all kinds of projects.
Tank, I feel quilty. I have the luxury of 1 to 1 computers but do not make everything digital because the wireless access in my room can be unreliable. It is also much quicker to use paper over computer.
I hope you can come up with solutions.
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Post by theboydbunch on Jul 31, 2014 2:16:43 GMT
I refuse to allow stupid adult decisions to change the way I do my job. I have worked hard over the last two years to focus on the kids and ignore all the rest. This statement alone shows what an amazing teacher you are!!
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,408
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 31, 2014 2:46:18 GMT
On the other side of the coin, and I am not unsympathetic to the op's situation, I hope some of the suggestions here will help her, but we have a local school which BEGS regularly for paper, even if it's only clean on one side. DH and I were putting our newspaper/magazines in a recycling bin and low and behold there was a ton of tractor fed paper, (not green bar, 8 1/2 x 11 w/o the perforated strips), neatly placed in there! First time we ever came close to dumpster diving, but I said I bet the ------ school would love to have this! We dug all of it out, which was probably illegal, and took it to the school, thinking the paper would be greatly appreciated. Not! They didn't want to tear off the tractor fed perforated strips! What the heck? You BEG for paper, we bring you a ton and can't be bothered to tear off the strips? I worked with this type paper back in the old days and you can tear the strips off a lot of pages at a time...not a big deal. Nope didn't want it! Took it back to the dumpster. That's insane! I bet someone in the office made that decision without asking the teachers. I know the little kids at my school love that kind of paper. My 5th graders would gladly pull it apart in theor spare time to use.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 31, 2014 3:06:35 GMT
I have to somewhat disagree with this. It would be hard to find, but for me, the highest need is the school that doesn't have the highest free/reduce and thus Title One money and other grants and isn't the higher income school. It is the middle of the road school with working parents who don't qualify for free/reduced, but also don't have a lot of disposable income. Those schools often get overlooked because while the parents can afford the school supplies, they can't afford to help with other things at the school.
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Post by kristenf on Aug 5, 2014 22:51:15 GMT
...because I am a trouble-maker today (hopefully in a good way ), perhaps the OP could mention what retail establishments in her area provide copy services (FedEx/Kinkos, Staples, etc...), for the amazing Peas who have reached out with offers to help but the possible limit on copies might make paper donations less useful until that fact is determined... maybe if you ask nicely the OP might consider accepting gift cards for copies? I could get in on that! It looks like Staples has a "ship to store" option on gift cards (but no email-delivery gift cards)... Just a thought!
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